Input device writing surface

ABSTRACT

Input device writing surface techniques are described. In one or more implementations, an input device includes a connection portion configured to form a communicative and physical coupling to a computing device sufficient to secure the input device to the computing device. The input device also includes an input portion having a writing surface configured to perform a change in optical states that is viewable by the user, the change in the optical states performable without use of electronic computation.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. §119(e) to the following U.S. Provisional patent applications, the entire disclosures of each of these applications being incorporated by reference in their entirety:

U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/659,353, filed Jun. 13, 2012, and titled “Stylus Blade;”

U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/606,321, filed Mar. 2, 2012, and titled “Screen Edge;”

U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/606,301, filed Mar. 2, 2012, and titled “Input Device Functionality;”

U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/606,313, filed Mar. 2, 2012, and titled “Functional Hinge;”

U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/606,333, filed Mar. 2, 2012, and titled “Usage and Authentication;”

U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/613,745, filed Mar. 21, 2012, and titled “Usage and Authentication;”

U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/606,336, filed Mar. 2, 2012, and titled “Kickstand and Camera;” and

U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/607,451, filed Mar. 6, 2012, and titled “Spanaway Provisional;”

and further this application claims priority to and incorporates the following application by reference in its entirety, U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/470,633, filed May 14, 2012, and titled “Flexible Hinge and Removable Attachment.”

BACKGROUND

The ways in which a user may interact with a computing device continues to expand. For example, users were initially provided solely with a keyboard to interact with a text-based user interface. Techniques were then subsequently developed in which a user could interact with a graphical user interface (GUI) using a cursor control device, such as a mouse or track pad. In this way, a user was provided with increased efficiency in the ways in which the user could view and interact with the computing device.

However, even though these conventional techniques provided increased efficiency with respect to previous techniques, these techniques could still seem artificial and unnatural to the user. Therefore, a user was oftentimes still confronted with a learning process to utilize the techniques, could be hindered by the unnaturalness of the interaction that was supported, and so on.

SUMMARY

Input device writing surface techniques are described. In one or more implementations, an input device includes a connection portion configured to form a communicative and physical coupling to a computing device sufficient to secure the input device to the computing device. The input device also includes an input portion having a writing surface configured to perform a change in optical states that is viewable by the user, the change in the optical states performable without use of electronic computation.

In one or more implementations, a system includes a computing device having a display device that supports touch functionality sufficient to detect one or more gestures. The system also includes an input device removably coupled both physically and communicatively to the computing device, the input device having a writing surface configured to perform a change in optical states that is viewable by the user, the change in the optical states performable without consuming electricity.

In one or more implementations, an apparatus includes a connection portion configured to form a communicative and magnetic coupling to a computing device, the magnetic coupling sufficient to secure the input device to the computing device. The apparatus also includes an input portion having a writing surface configured to perform a change in optical states that is viewable by the user, the change in the optical states performable by a display state change material responsive to application of mechanical pressure by a stylus. The writing surface is also configured to communicate data describing the application of the mechanical pressure via the connection portion to the computing device, the data output by one or more sensors disposed on an opposing side of the display state change material with respect to a side that received the application of the mechanical pressure.

This Summary is provided to introduce a selection of concepts in a simplified form that are further described below in the Detailed Description. This Summary is not intended to identify key features or essential features of the claimed subject matter, nor is it intended to be used as an aid in determining the scope of the claimed subject matter.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The detailed description is described with reference to the accompanying figures. In the figures, the left-most digit(s) of a reference number identifies the figure in which the reference number first appears. The use of the same reference numbers in different instances in the description and the figures may indicate similar or identical items. Entities represented in the figures may be indicative of one or more entities and thus reference may be made interchangeably to single or plural forms of the entities in the discussion.

FIG. 1 is an illustration of an environment in an example implementation that is operable to employ the techniques described herein.

FIG. 2 is an illustration of an example system showing a writing surface of FIG. 1 in greater detail.

FIG. 3 depicts an example implementation of an input device of FIG. 1 as showing a flexible hinge in greater detail.

FIG. 4 depicts an example orientation of the input device in relation to the computing device as covering a display device of the computing device.

FIG. 5 depicts an example orientation of the input device in relation to the computing device as assuming a typing orientation.

FIG. 6 depicts an example orientation of the input device in relation to the computing device as covering a rear housing of the computing device and exposing a display device of the computing device.

FIG. 7 depicts an example orientation of the input device as including a portion configured to cover a rear of the computing device, which in this instance is used to support a kickstand of the computing device.

FIG. 8 depicts an example implementation showing a perspective view of a connection portion of FIG. 3 that includes mechanical coupling protrusions and a plurality of communication contacts.

FIG. 9 depicts a cross section taken along an axis showing a communication contact as well as a cross section of a cavity of the computing device in greater detail.

FIG. 10 depicts a cross section of the computing device, connection portion, and flexible hinge of the input device as being oriented as shown in FIG. 4 in which the input device acts as a cover for a display device of the computing device.

FIG. 11 depicts a cross section taken along an axis showing a magnetic coupling device as well as a cross section of the cavity of the computing device in greater detail.

FIG. 12 depicts an example of a magnetic coupling portion that may be employed by the input device or computing device to implement a flux fountain.

FIG. 13 depicts another example of a magnetic coupling portion that may be employed by the input device or computing device to implement a flux fountain.

FIG. 14 depicts a cross section taken along an axis showing a mechanical coupling protrusion as well as a cross section of the cavity of the computing device in greater detail.

FIG. 15 illustrates an example system including various components of an example device that can be implemented as any type of computing device as described with reference to FIGS. 1-14 to implement embodiments of the techniques described herein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Overview

Even though functionality supported by conventional input devices has expanded, this functionality may still feel unnatural to a user. This unnatural feel may therefore hinder a user's experience with the input device, both in the user's opinion of that interaction as well as efficiency with which that interaction may occur.

Input device writing surface techniques are described. In one or more implementations, an input device is configured to include a writing surface via which a user may interact to write inputs, e.g., using a stylus. The writing surface may be configured to include a display state change material that is configured to change optical states without electronic computation and/or without use of electricity. For example, the display state change material may be configured to provide a display similar to ink responsive to a pressure applied to the writing surface. Further, this material may be disposed beneath a protective surface that has reduced thickness in comparison with conventional protective surfaces and touchscreens. In this way, the change in optical states may be performed with minimal lag, parallax, and so forth. A variety of other examples are also contemplated, further discussion of which may be found in relation to the following sections.

In the following discussion, an example environment is first described that may employ the techniques described herein. Example procedures are then described which may be performed in the example environment as well as other environments. Consequently, performance of the example procedures is not limited to the example environment and the example environment is not limited to performance of the example procedures.

Example Environment

FIG. 1 is an illustration of an environment 100 in an example implementation that is operable to employ the techniques described herein. The illustrated environment 100 includes an example of a computing device 102 that is physically and communicatively coupled to an input device 104 via a flexible hinge 106, although other implementations are also contemplated.

The computing device 102 may be configured in a variety of ways. For example, the computing device 102 may be configured for mobile use (e.g., handheld), such as a mobile phone, a tablet computer as illustrated, and so on. Thus, the computing device 102 may range from full resource devices with substantial memory and processor resources to a low-resource device with limited memory and/or processing resources.

The computing device 102 is illustrated as including an input/output module 108. The input/output module 108 is representative of functionality relating to processing of inputs and rendering outputs of the computing device 102. A variety of different inputs may be processed by the input/output module 108, such as inputs relating to functions that correspond to keys of the input device 104, keys of a virtual keyboard displayed by the display device 110 to identify gestures and cause operations to be performed that correspond to the gestures that may be recognized through the input device 104 and/or touchscreen functionality of the display device 110, and so forth. Thus, the input/output module 108 may support a variety of different input techniques by recognizing and leveraging a division between types of inputs including key presses, gestures, and so on.

In the illustrated example, the input device 104 is configured as having an input portion 112 that includes a writing surface 114. The writing surface 114 may be configured to provide an output responsive to an input, such as a stylus 116, one or more fingers of a user's hand, and so on. The writing surface 114 of the input device 104, for instance, may be configured to act an electronic writing surface that provides an improved user experience with near instantaneous display of “ink” on the writing surface 114 responsive to an input.

In one or more implementations, by moving the writing surface 114 off the display device 110, the writing surface 114 may be reserved for stylus tasks alone, removing a need for a user to choose among stylus, touch or mouse to perform an action. For example, a user may make drawing motions using the stylus 116 on the writing surface 114 yet still have access to touchscreen functionality of the display device 110. Thus, coupling of the writing surface 114 to the computing device 102 and touchscreen functionality of the display device 110 may be used to support a number of unique interactive affordances. Of course, other examples are also contemplated in which matching functionality is supported by both the display device 110 and the writing surface 114.

In the illustrated system, the writing surface 114 of the input device 104 is physically coupled to the computing device 104. This allows the writing 114 surface to be in close proximity to the display device 110 and the system as a whole to be manipulated as one by a user, e.g., carried using one or more hands of the user. This proximity may be used to support a variety of different interactions between the devices which may increase a “naturalness” of the interaction perceived by a user.

For example, as illustrated the writing surface 114 of the input portion 112 is configured to support writing operations. This may include drawing operations and so on through use of a stylus 116 such that a display of ink is shown. The ink may be displayed by the writing surface 114 in a variety of ways, such as to mimic ink from a pen, lead from a pencil, charcoal, paint, a highlighter, and so on. For instance, pixels of the writing surface 114 may be configured to undergo a change in display state that is viewable by a user. In this way, a user may visualize a difference between material (e.g., pixels) with which interaction has occurred (e.g., a user has drawn one or more lines) and material with which interaction has not occurred. Further explanation of this functionality may be found in relation to the discussion of FIG. 2.

An input that caused the change in display state may also be detected by the writing surface 114, such as through leveraging one or more sensors. An output of these sensors may be received by a writing input module 118 and communicated via the flexible hinge 106 to an application 120 or other software that is executed by the computing device 102.

The application 120 may then cause an operation to be performed, such as a change to a user interface displayed by the display device 110. Further, a user may interact with this change in the user interface using touchscreen functionality of the display device 110, such as functionality used to recognize gestures, selection of objects, or other inputs. Thus, a user may interact with both the writing surface 114 and touchscreen functionality of the display device 110 to support a wide range of different interactions. The writing surface 114 may be configured in a variety of ways to support these interactions, further discussion of which may be found in relation to the following description and corresponding figure.

FIG. 2 depicts a system 200 in an example implementation showing the writing surface 114 and writing input module 118 of the input device 104 in greater detail. The writing surface 114 in this example includes a protective surface 202 that is configured to act as an outer surface of the input device 104. The protective surface 202, for instance, may be configured to be contacted to initiate an input, such as through a pressure applied by the illustrated stylus 116 or other object.

The writing surface 114 includes a display state change material 204 disposed beneath the protective surface 202 and one or more sensors 206. The sensors 206 are disposed on a side of the display state change material 204 that is opposite to a side at which the input is initiated.

In a conventional display device, such as an LCD display module, the image plane is located at about one millimeter behind a protective surface of the device. A cover glass and sensors (e.g., a digitizer) usually adds another one to two millimeters of thickness to the LCD display module. Thus, this combination typically creates a gap between a source of an input (e.g., a stylus) and a display that corresponds to the input. Consequently, the location of the display of the ink relative to the stylus may thus depend on an angle of the viewer, making precise drawing difficult due to a condition often referred to as parallax in conventional display devices. For example, a conventional display device using touchscreen functionality may make a determination of the x, y coordinates of a tip of the stylus 116 as opposed to determining a projection of the tip along the axis of the stylus, down to the image plane. Therefore, this gap could be disconcerting to a user as well as result in the unnatural feel previously described.

By keeping this gap small, however, calibration may be reduced that depends on both the position of the user and the angle of the stylus, for instance. In the illustrated embodiment, for example, sensors 206 such as a pressure sensing digitizing pad is utilized as part of the writing surface 114. The pressure sensing digitizing pad, for instance, may be configured from a plurality of membrane switches that employ a force sensitive ink such that an event of less than one millisecond may be detected. This may allow the sensors 206 to capture brief strokes made by the stylus 116, initial impact force, and so on.

Additionally, these sensors 206 may then be located behind the display state change material 204 as opposed to conventional touchscreen devices in which a digitizer was located between an LCD display module and a protective surface. Further, the display state change material 204 may be configured such that a degree of protection required by conventional LCD display modules is not needed. Because of this, the protective surface 202 of the writing surface 114 may be made thinner than cover glass typically utilized by LCD display modules. Accordingly, the distance from the display of the ink by the display state change material 204 to the tip of the stylus 116 may be smaller in comparison with convention LCD display modules, thereby reducing and even eliminating parallax that is viewable by a user.

Further, different materials may be used for the protective surface 202 as opposed to those used for conventional display devices. The protective surface 202, for instance, may be coated to provide a feel and sound when contacted by the stylus 116 that is similar to paper. In this way, a natural feel of the writing surface 114 may be further promoted by avoiding a slippery feel of conventional glass surfaced display devices.

The writing surface 114 may be configured in a variety of ways to provide an output that is viewable by a user. For example, in one or more implementations the writing surface 114 may include a display state change material 204 that is able to change display states directly. The direct change of display state may be performed without electronic computation and/or without use of electricity, e.g., power from the input device 104 and/or the computing device 102. Thus, the change in display states may be performed without power and even if the input device 104 and/or the computing device 102 is “off.” This may be performed in a variety of ways, such as to leverage mechanical to optical, magnetic to optical, optical to optical, temperature to optical, electrical to optical, and other display state change techniques.

In a first such example, the display state change material 204 may be configured to perform the change in display states in response to a mechanical input. For example, a pressure applied by the stylus 116 through the protective surface 202 to the display state change material 204 may cause the display state change material 204 to change optical states. A cholesteric liquid crystal, for instance, may be employed as part of the display state change material 204. A pressure applied to this material may cause a change in the local liquid crystal alignment responsive to the pressure applied to that location that is viewable by a user, e.g., as ink.

Further, this change may be performed without electronic computation or consumption of electricity which may reduce lag in display of the ink by directly outputting a result of the pressure applied by the object. It should also be noted that in such a system special configuration of the object is not involved but rather any object capable of applying a pressure may be used. Further, separation of the display state change material 204 into predefined pixels may be avoided, thereby simplifying production of the writing surface 114. Other examples of display state change materials 204 that respond to mechanical pressure are also contemplated.

In a second such example, the change in optical states of the display state change material 204 may be performed responsive to a temperature change. For example, localized heating of the display state change material 204 may be used to change the display state of the material. This may be performed by an application of heat by the stylus 116 (e.g., a heated tip), use of a finger of a user's hand, and so on. Thus, in this example the change may again be performed without electronic computation or consumption of electricity, thereby reducing lag and power consumption.

In a third such example, the change in optical states of the display sate change material 204 may be performed responsive to a magnetic field. A tip of the stylus 116, for instance, may be configured to output a magnetic field that causes a display state change of the display state change material 204. This may be performed to align magnetically responsive material included as part of the display state change material 204.

In a fourth such example, the change in optical states of the display states change material 204 may be performed responsive to encountering light. The stylus 116, for instance, may be configured to output light at one or more wavelengths that causes the display state change material 204 to change display states. For instance, light emitted from the stylus may cause a phosphor of the display state change material to “light up.” In another instance, the light may cause a reflective pixel to flip display states using an electro-optic effect. In one or more implementations, electronics associated with a pixel may sense the transition and continue refreshing with an electrical effect until an erase is involved and thus the change is maintained through consumption of electricity and/or electronic computation.

Thus, each of these techniques may support the ability to reduce latency by directing affecting the display state change material 204 (e.g., which may be formed into one or more pixels) rather than going through a system (e.g., writing input module 118 an input device 104 and/or the input/output module 108 of the computing device 102) of sense, process, and excite hardware. A wide variety of other techniques are also contemplated in which to support a change in display state directly. It should be readily apparent, however, that techniques are also contemplated in which the input device 104 supports a display that does involve electronic computation and/or consumption of electricity, such as to support an AMOLED display.

As previously described, since the display state change material 204 may be affected directly, sensors 206 may be disposed underneath the display state change material 204 to communicate inputs to the computing device 102. Because the display state change material 204 is the first layer under the protective surface 202 in this example, parallax between the stylus tip and the output of the material may be relatively small, e.g., less than 0.2 millimeters. Additionally, the display state change material may also be configured to be relatively thin in comparison with conventional display modules. Thus, a distance between the stylus 116 and the sensors 206 is also minimized. Further, configuration of the sensors 206 to support pressure sensitivity may allow the pressure to be supplied using any object, e.g., an ordinary stick may be utilized, and thus special configuration of the stylus 116 may be avoided in such an instance.

The output of the writing surface 114 may also be erased. For example, the writing input module 118 may use electricity to change the display state change material 204 back to a previous optical state (e.g., reset or erase) using a series of pulses. Techniques may also be supported to perform a localized erase of a defined region of the writing surface 114. Other examples are also contemplated.

Returning again to a discussion of FIG. 1, the illustrated configuration shows a close proximity between the display device 110 of the computing device 102 and writing surface 114 of the input device 104. As previously stated, the display device 110 may also support touch functionality. Therefore, a user may interact with a user interface output by the display device 110 and writing surface 114 of the input device 104 in an efficient manner due to this close proximity.

To support this proximity, the input device 104 is removably physically and communicatively coupled to the computing device 102 using a flexible hinge 106. The flexible hinge 106 may be formed using one or more layers of fabric and include conductors formed as flexible traces to communicatively couple the input device 104 to the computing device 102 and vice versa. This communication, for instance, may be used to communicate a result of a key press to the computing device 102, receive power from the computing device, perform authentication, provide supplemental power to the computing device 102, and so on. The flexible hinge 106 may be configured in a variety of ways, further discussion of which may be found in relation to the following figure.

FIG. 3 depicts an example implementation 300 of the input device 104 of FIG. 1 as showing the flexible hinge 106 in greater detail. In this example, a connection portion 302 of the input device is shown that is configured to provide a communicative and physical connection between the input device 104 and the computing device 102. The connection portion 302 as illustrated has a height and cross section configured to be received in a channel in the housing of the computing device 102, although this arrangement may also be reversed without departing from the spirit and scope thereof.

The connection portion 302 is flexibly connected to a portion of the input device 104 that includes the keys through use of the flexible hinge 106. Thus, when the connection portion 302 is physically connected to the computing device the combination of the connection portion 302 and the flexible hinge 106 supports movement of the input device 104 in relation to the computing device 102 that is similar to a hinge of a book.

Through this rotational movement, a variety of different orientations of the input device 104 in relation to the computing device 102 may be supported. For example, rotational movement may be supported by the flexible hinge 106 such that the input device 104 may be placed against the display device 110 of the computing device 102 and thereby act as a cover as shown in the example orientation 400 of FIG. 4. Thus, the input device 104 may act to protect the display device 110 of the computing device 102 from harm.

As shown in the example orientation 500 of FIG. 5, a typing arrangement may be supported. In this orientation, the input device 104 is laid flat against a surface and the computing device 102 is disposed at an angle to permit viewing of the display device 110, e.g., such as through use of a kickstand 502 disposed on a rear surface of the computing device 102.

In the example orientation 600 of FIG. 6, the input device 104 may also be rotated so as to be disposed against a back of the computing device 102, e.g., against a rear housing of the computing device 102 that is disposed opposite the display device 110 on the computing device 102. In this example, through orientation of the connection portion 302 to the computing device 102, the flexible hinge 106 is caused to “wrap around” the connection portion 302 to position the input device 104 at the rear of the computing device 102. Thus, in this orientation the user may access touchscreen functionality of the display device 110 from a front of the device and keys of the input device 104 from a rear of the device.

In the example orientation 700 of FIG. 7, the input device 104 is illustrated as including a portion 702 configured to cover a rear of the computing device. This portion 702 is also connected to the connection portion 302 using a flexible hinge 704.

The example orientation 700 of FIG. 7 also illustrates a typing arrangement for interacting with keys of the input device 104 in which the input device 104 is laid flat against a surface and the computing device 102 is disposed at an angle to permit viewing of the display device 110. This is supported through use of the kickstand 402 disposed on a rear surface of the computing device 102 to contact the portion 702 in this example.

The portions 302, 702 may also be used to cover both the front (e.g., display device 110) and back (e.g., opposing side of the housing from the display device) of the computing device 102. In one or more implementations, electrical and other connectors may also be disposed along the sides of the computing device 102 and/or the input device 104, e.g., to provide auxiliary power when closed.

Naturally, a variety of other orientations are also supported. For instance, the computing device 102 and input device 104 may assume an arrangement such that both are laid flat against a surface as shown in FIG. 1. Other instances are also contemplated, such as a tripod arrangement, meeting arrangement, presentation arrangement, and so forth.

Returning again to FIG. 3, the connection portion 302 is illustrated in this example as including magnetic coupling devices 304, 306, mechanical coupling protrusions 308, 310, and a plurality of communication contacts 312. The magnetic coupling devices 304, 306 are configured to magnetically couple to complementary magnetic coupling devices of the computing device 102 through use of one or more magnets. In this way, the input device 104 may be physically secured to the computing device 102 through use of magnetic attraction.

The connection portion 302 also includes mechanical coupling protrusions 308, 310 to form a mechanical physical connection between the input device 104 and the computing device 102. The mechanical coupling protrusions 308, 310 are shown in greater detail in relation to FIG. 8, which is discussed below.

FIG. 8 depicts an example implementation 800 showing a perspective view of the connection portion 302 of FIG. 2 that includes the mechanical coupling protrusions 308, 310 and the plurality of communication contacts 312. As illustrated, the mechanical coupling protrusions 308, 310 are configured to extend away from a surface of the connection portion 302, which in this case is perpendicular although other angles are also contemplated.

The mechanical coupling protrusions 308, 310 are configured to be received within complimentary cavities within the channel of the computing device 102. When so received, the mechanical coupling protrusions 308, 310 promote a mechanical binding between the devices when forces are applied that are not aligned with an axis that is defined as correspond to the height of the protrusions and the depth of the cavity, further discussion of which may be found in relation to FIG. 14.

The connection portion 302 is also illustrated as including a plurality of communication contacts 312. The plurality of communication contacts 312 is configured to contact corresponding communication contacts of the computing device 102 to form a communicative coupling between the devices as shown and discussed in greater detail in relation to the following figure.

FIG. 9 depicts a cross section taken along an axis 900 of FIGS. 2 and 8 showing one of the communication contacts 312 as well as a cross section of a cavity of the computing device 102 in greater detail. The connection portion 302 is illustrated as including a projection 902 that is configured to be complimentary to a channel 904 of the computing device 102, e.g., having complimentary shapes, such that movement of the projection 902 within the cavity 904 is limited.

The communication contacts 312 may be configured in a variety of ways. In the illustrated example, the communication contact 312 of the connection portion 302 is formed as a spring loaded pin 906 that is captured within a barrel 908 of the connection portion 302. The spring loaded pin 906 is biased outward from the barrel 908 to provide a consistent communication contact between the input device 104 and the computing device 102, such as to a contact 910 of the computing device 102. Therefore, contact and therefore communication may be maintained during movement or jostling of the devices. A variety of other examples are also contemplated, including placement of the pins on the computing device 102 and contacts on the input device 104.

The flexible hinge 106 is also shown in greater detail in the example of FIG. 9. The flexible hinge 106 in this cross section includes a conductor 912 that is configured to communicatively coupled the communication contact 312 of the connection portion 302 with an input portion 914 of the input device 104, e.g., one or more keys, a track pad, and so forth. The conductor 912 may be formed in a variety of ways, such as a copper trace that has an operational flexibility to permit operation as part of the flexible hinge, e.g., to support repeated flexing of the hinge 106. Flexibility of the conductor 912, however, may be limited, e.g., may remain operational to conduct signals for flexing that is performed above a minimum bend radius.

Accordingly, the flexible hinge 106 may be configured to support a minimum bend radius based on the operational flexibility of the conductor 912 such that the flexible hinge 106 resists flexing below that radius. A variety of different techniques may be employed. The flexible hinge 106, for instance, may be configured to include first and second outer layers 916, 918, which may be formed from a fabric, microfiber cloth, and so on. Flexibility of material used to form the first and/or second outer layers 916, 918 may be configured to support flexibility as described above such that the conductor 912 is not broken or otherwise rendered inoperable during movement of the input portion 914 in relation to the connection portion 302.

In another instance, the flexible hinge 106 may include a mid-spine 920 located between the connection portion 302 and the input portion 914. The mid-spine 920, for example, includes a first flexible portion 922 that flexible connects the input portion 904 to the mid-spine 920 and a second flexible portion 924 that flexible connects the mid-spine 920 to the connection portion 920.

In the illustrated example, the first and second outer layers 916, 918 extend from the input portion 914 (and act as a cover thereof) through the first and second flexible portions 922, 924 of the flexible hinge 106 and are secured to the connection portion 302, e.g., via clamping, adhesive, and so on. The conductor 912 is disposed between the first and second outer layers 916, 918. The mid-spine 920 may be configured to provide mechanical stiffness to a particular location of the flexible hinge 106 to support a desired minimum bend radius, further discussion of which may be found in relation to the following figure.

FIG. 10 depicts a cross section of the computing device 102, connection portion 302 and flexible hinge 106 of the input device 104 as being oriented as shown in FIG. 3 in which the input device 104 acts as a cover for a display device 110 of the computing device 102. As illustrated, this orientation causes the flexible hinge 106 to bend. Through inclusion of the mid-spine 920 and sizing of the first and second flexible portions 922, 924, however, the bend does not exceed an operational bend radius of the conductor 912 as previously described. In this way, the mechanical stiffness provided by the mid-spine 920 (which is greater than a mechanical stiffness of other portions of the flexible hinge 106) may protect the conductors 912.

The mid-spine 920 may also be used to support a variety of other functionality. For example, the mid-spine 920 may support movement along a longitudinal axis as shown in FIG. 1 yet help restrict movement along a latitudinal axis that otherwise may be encountered due to the flexibility of the flexible hinge 106.

Additionally, the input device 104 and the computing device 102 may support techniques to determination an orientation of the devices in relation to each other, such as through the use of accelerometers, inertial sensors, or other orientation sensors. This may be used to change a state or other functionality of the input device 104, such as when positioned behind the computing device, when in a writing implementation, and so on.

Other techniques may also be leveraged to provide desired flexibility at particular points along the flexible hinge 106. For example, embossing may be used in which an embossed area, e.g., an area that mimics a size and orientation of the mid-spine 920, is configured to increase flexibility of a material, such as one or more of the first and second outer layers 916, 918, at locations that are embossed. An example of an embossed line 214 that increases flexibility of a material along a particular axis is shown in FIG. 3. It should be readily apparent, however, that a wide variety of shapes, depths, and orientations of an embossed area are also contemplated to provide desired flexibility of the flexible hinge 106.

FIG. 11 depicts a cross section taken along an axis 1100 of FIGS. 2 and 8 showing the magnetic coupling device 204 as well as a cross section of the cavity 904 of the computing device 102 in greater detail. In this example, a magnet of the magnetic coupling device 204 is illustrated as disposed within the connection portion 302.

Movement of the connection portion 302 and the channel 904 together may cause the magnet 1102 to be attracted to a magnet 1104 of a magnetic coupling device 1106 of the computing device 102, which in this example is disposed within the channel 904 of a housing of the computing device 102. In one or more implementations, flexibility of the flexible hinge 106 may cause the connection portion 302 to “snap into” the channel 904. Further, this may also cause the connection portion 302 to “line up” with the channel 904, such that the mechanical coupling protrusion 208 is aligned for insertion into the cavity 1002 and the communication contacts 208 are aligned with respective contacts 910 in the channel.

The magnetic coupling devices 204, 1106 may be configured in a variety of ways. For example, the magnetic coupling device 204 may employ a backing 1108 (e.g., such as steel) to cause a magnetic field generated by the magnet 1102 to extend outward away from the backing 1108. Thus, a range of the magnetic field generated by the magnet 1102 may be extended. A variety of other configurations may also be employed by the magnetic coupling device 204, 1106, examples of which are described and shown in relation to the following referenced figure.

FIG. 12 depicts an example 1200 of a magnetic coupling portion that may be employed by the input device 104 or computing device 102 to implement a flux fountain. In this example, alignment of a magnet field is indicted for each of a plurality of magnets using arrows.

A first magnet 1202 is disposed in the magnetic coupling device having a magnetic field aligned along an axis. Second and third magnets 1204, 1206 are disposed on opposing sides of the first magnet 1202. The alignment of the respective magnetic fields of the second and third magnets 1204, 1206 is substantially perpendicular to the axis of the first magnet 1202 and generally opposed each other.

In this case, the magnetic fields of the second and third magnets are aimed towards the first magnet 1202. This causes the magnetic field of the first magnet 1202 to extend further along the indicated axis, thereby increasing a range of the magnetic field of the first magnet 1202.

The effect may be further extended using fourth and fifth magnets 1208, 1210. In this example, the fourth and fifth magnets 1208, 1210 have magnetic fields that are aligned as substantially opposite to the magnetic field of the first magnet 1202. Further, the second magnet 1204 is disposed between the fourth magnet 1208 and the first magnet 1202. The third magnet 1206 is disposed between the first magnet 1202 and the fifth magnet 1210. Thus, the magnetic fields of the fourth and fifth magnets 1208, 1210 may also be caused to extend further along their respective axes which may further increase the strength of these magnets as well as other magnets in the collection. This arrangement of five magnets is suitable to form a flux fountain. Although five magnets were described, any odd number of magnets of five and greater may repeat this relationship to form flux fountains of even greater strength.

To magnetically attach to another magnetic coupling device, a similar arrangement of magnets may be disposed “on top” or “below” of the illustrated arrangement, e.g., so the magnetic fields of the first, fourth and fifth magnets 1202, 1208, 1210 are aligned with corresponding magnets above or below those magnets. Further, in the illustrated example, the strength of the first, fourth, and fifth magnets 1202, 1208, 1210 is stronger than the second and third magnets 1204, 1206, although other implementations are also contemplated. Another example of a flux fountain is described in relation to the following discussion of the figure.

FIG. 13 depicts an example 1300 of a magnetic coupling portion that may be employed by the input device 104 or computing device 102 to implement a flux fountain. In this example, alignment of a magnet field is also indicted for each of a plurality of magnets using arrows.

Like the example 1200 of FIG. 12, a first magnet 1302 is disposed in the magnetic coupling device having a magnetic field aligned along an axis. Second and third magnets 1304, 1306 are disposed on opposing sides of the first magnet 1302. The alignment of the magnetic fields of the second and third magnets 1304, 1306 are substantially perpendicular the axis of the first magnet 1302 and generally opposed each other like the example 1200 of FIG. 12.

In this case, the magnetic fields of the second and third magnets are aimed towards the first magnet 1302. This causes the magnetic field of the first magnet 1302 to extend further along the indicated axis, thereby increasing a range of the magnetic field of the first magnet 1302.

This effect may be further extended using fourth and fifth magnets 1308, 1310. In this example, the fourth magnet 1308 has a magnetic field that is aligned as substantially opposite to the magnetic field of the first magnet 1302. The fifth magnet 1310 has a magnetic field that is aligned as substantially corresponding to the magnet field of the second magnet 1304 and is substantially opposite to the magnetic field of the third magnet 1306. The fourth magnet 1308 is disposed between the third and fifth magnets 1306, 1310 in the magnetic coupling device.

This arrangement of five magnets is suitable to form a flux fountain. Although five magnets are described, any odd number of magnets of five and greater may repeat this relationship to form flux fountains of even greater strength. Thus, the magnetic fields of the first 1302 and fourth magnet 1308 may also be caused to extend further along its axis which may further increase the strength of this magnet.

To magnetically attach to another magnetic coupling device, a similar arrangement of magnets may be disposed “on top” or “below” of the illustrated arrangement, e.g., so the magnetic fields of the first and fourth magnets 1302, 1308 are aligned with corresponding magnets above or below those magnets. Further, in the illustrated example, the strength of the first and fourth magnets 1302, 1308 (individually) is stronger than a strength of the second, third and fifth magnets 1304, 1306, 1310, although other implementations are also contemplated.

Further, the example 1200 of FIG. 12, using similar sizes of magnets, may have increased magnetic coupling as opposed to the example 1300 of FIG. 13. For instance, the example 1200 of FIG. 12 uses three magnets (e.g. the first, fourth, and fifth magnets 1202, 1208, 1210) to primarily provide the magnetic coupling, with two magnets used to “steer” the magnetic fields of those magnets, e.g., the second and third magnets 1204, 1206. However, the example 1300 of FIG. 13 uses two magnets (e.g., the first and fourth magnets 1302, 1308) to primarily provide the magnetic coupling, with three magnets used to “steer” the magnetic fields of those magnets, e.g., the second, third, and fifth magnets 1304, 1306, 1308.

Accordingly, though, the example 1300 of FIG. 13, using similar sizes of magnets, may have increased magnetic alignment capabilities as opposed to the example 1200 of FIG. 12. For instance, the example 1300 of FIG. 13 uses three magnets (e.g. the second, third, and fifth magnets 1304, 1306, 1310) to “steer” the magnetic fields of the first and fourth magnets 1302, 1308, which are used to provide primary magnetic coupling. Therefore, the alignment of the fields of the magnets in the example 1300 of FIG. 13 may be closer than the alignment of the example 1200 of FIG. 12.

Regardless of the technique employed, it should be readily apparent that the “steering” or “aiming” of the magnetic fields described may be used to increase an effective range of the magnets, e.g., in comparison with the use of the magnets having similar strengths by themselves in a conventional aligned state. In one or more implementations, this causes an increase from a few millimeters using an amount of magnetic material to a few centimeters using the same amount of magnetic material.

Example System and Device

FIG. 15 illustrates an example system generally at 1500 that includes an example computing device 1502 that is representative of one or more computing systems and/or devices that may implement the various techniques described herein. The computing device 1502 may be, for example, be configured to assume a hand held configuration through use of a housing formed and size to be grasped and carried by one or more hands of a user, illustrated examples of which include a mobile phone, mobile game and media device, and tablet computer although other examples are also contemplated.

The example computing device 1502 as illustrated includes a processing system 1504, one or more computer-readable media 1506, and one or more I/O interface 1508 that are communicatively coupled, one to another. Although not shown, the computing device 1502 may further include a system bus or other data and command transfer system that couples the various components, one to another. A system bus can include any one or combination of different bus structures, such as a memory bus or memory controller, a peripheral bus, a universal serial bus, and/or a processor or local bus that utilizes any of a variety of bus architectures. A variety of other examples are also contemplated, such as control and data lines.

The processing system 1504 is representative of functionality to perform one or more operations using hardware. Accordingly, the processing system 1504 is illustrated as including hardware element 1510 that may be configured as processors, functional blocks, and so forth. This may include implementation in hardware as an application specific integrated circuit or other logic device formed using one or more semiconductors. The hardware elements 1510 are not limited by the materials from which they are formed or the processing mechanisms employed therein. For example, processors may be comprised of semiconductor(s) and/or transistors (e.g., electronic integrated circuits (ICs)). In such a context, processor-executable instructions may be electronically-executable instructions.

The computer-readable storage media 1506 is illustrated as including memory/storage 1512. The memory/storage 1512 represents memory/storage capacity associated with one or more computer-readable media. The memory/storage component 1512 may include volatile media (such as random access memory (RAM)) and/or nonvolatile media (such as read only memory (ROM), Flash memory, optical disks, magnetic disks, and so forth). The memory/storage component 1512 may include fixed media (e.g., RAM, ROM, a fixed hard drive, and so on) as well as removable media (e.g., Flash memory, a removable hard drive, an optical disc, and so forth). The computer-readable media 1506 may be configured in a variety of other ways as further described below.

Input/output interface(s) 1508 are representative of functionality to allow a user to enter commands and information to computing device 1502, and also allow information to be presented to the user and/or other components or devices using various input/output devices. Examples of input devices include a keyboard, a cursor control device (e.g., a mouse), a microphone, a scanner, touch functionality (e.g., capacitive or other sensors that are configured to detect physical touch), a camera (e.g., which may employ visible or non-visible wavelengths such as infrared frequencies to recognize movement as gestures that do not involve touch), and so forth. Examples of output devices include a display device (e.g., a monitor or projector), speakers, a printer, a network card, tactile-response device, and so forth. Thus, the computing device 1502 may be configured in a variety of ways to support user interaction.

The computing device 1502 is further illustrated as being communicatively and physically coupled to an input device 1514 that is physically and communicatively removable from the computing device 1502. In this way, a variety of different input devices may be coupled to the computing device 1502 having a wide variety of configurations to support a wide variety of functionality. In this example, the input device 1514 includes one or more keys 1516, which may be configured as pressure sensitive keys, mechanically switched keys, and so forth.

The input device 1514 is further illustrated as include one or more modules 1518 that may be configured to support a variety of functionality. The one or more modules 1518, for instance, may be configured to process analog and/or digital signals received from the keys 1516 to determine whether a keystroke was intended, determine whether an input is indicative of resting pressure, support authentication of the input device 1514 for operation with the computing device 1502, and so on.

Various techniques may be described herein in the general context of software, hardware elements, or program modules. Generally, such modules include routines, programs, objects, elements, components, data structures, and so forth that perform particular tasks or implement particular abstract data types. The terms “module,” “functionality,” and “component” as used herein generally represent software, firmware, hardware, or a combination thereof. The features of the techniques described herein are platform-independent, meaning that the techniques may be implemented on a variety of commercial computing platforms having a variety of processors.

An implementation of the described modules and techniques may be stored on or transmitted across some form of computer-readable media. The computer-readable media may include a variety of media that may be accessed by the computing device 1502. By way of example, and not limitation, computer-readable media may include “computer-readable storage media” and “computer-readable signal media.”

“Computer-readable storage media” may refer to media and/or devices that enable persistent and/or non-transitory storage of information in contrast to mere signal transmission, carrier waves, or signals per se. Thus, computer-readable storage media refers to non-signal bearing media. The computer-readable storage media includes hardware such as volatile and non-volatile, removable and non-removable media and/or storage devices implemented in a method or technology suitable for storage of information such as computer readable instructions, data structures, program modules, logic elements/circuits, or other data. Examples of computer-readable storage media may include, but are not limited to, RAM, ROM, EEPROM, flash memory or other memory technology, CD-ROM, digital versatile disks (DVD) or other optical storage, hard disks, magnetic cassettes, magnetic tape, magnetic disk storage or other magnetic storage devices, or other storage device, tangible media, or article of manufacture suitable to store the desired information and which may be accessed by a computer.

“Computer-readable signal media” may refer to a signal-bearing medium that is configured to transmit instructions to the hardware of the computing device 1502, such as via a network. Signal media typically may embody computer readable instructions, data structures, program modules, or other data in a modulated data signal, such as carrier waves, data signals, or other transport mechanism. Signal media also include any information delivery media. The term “modulated data signal” means a signal that has one or more of its characteristics set or changed in such a manner as to encode information in the signal. By way of example, and not limitation, communication media include wired media such as a wired network or direct-wired connection, and wireless media such as acoustic, RF, infrared, and other wireless media.

As previously described, hardware elements 1510 and computer-readable media 1506 are representative of modules, programmable device logic and/or fixed device logic implemented in a hardware form that may be employed in some embodiments to implement at least some aspects of the techniques described herein, such as to perform one or more instructions. Hardware may include components of an integrated circuit or on-chip system, an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a field-programmable gate array (FPGA), a complex programmable logic device (CPLD), and other implementations in silicon or other hardware. In this context, hardware may operate as a processing device that performs program tasks defined by instructions and/or logic embodied by the hardware as well as a hardware utilized to store instructions for execution, e.g., the computer-readable storage media described previously.

Combinations of the foregoing may also be employed to implement various techniques described herein. Accordingly, software, hardware, or executable modules may be implemented as one or more instructions and/or logic embodied on some form of computer-readable storage media and/or by one or more hardware elements 1510. The computing device 1502 may be configured to implement particular instructions and/or functions corresponding to the software and/or hardware modules. Accordingly, implementation of a module that is executable by the computing device 1502 as software may be achieved at least partially in hardware, e.g., through use of computer-readable storage media and/or hardware elements 1510 of the processing system 1504. The instructions and/or functions may be executable/operable by one or more articles of manufacture (for example, one or more computing devices 1502 and/or processing systems 1504) to implement techniques, modules, and examples described herein.

CONCLUSION

Although the example implementations have been described in language specific to structural features and/or methodological acts, it is to be understood that the implementations defined in the appended claims is not necessarily limited to the specific features or acts described. Rather, the specific features and acts are disclosed as example forms of implementing the claimed features. 

What is claimed is:
 1. An input device comprising: a flexible hinge having an axis, a connection portion, and communication contacts, the connection portion configured to form a physical coupling to a side of a computing device sufficient to secure the input device to the computing device using a plurality of magnetic coupling devices spaced along the axis that do not support a communicative coupling with the computing device, the communication contacts spaced along the axis and configured to form a communicative coupling between the computing device and the input device; and an input portion having a writing surface configured to perform a change in optical states that is viewable by the user, the change in the optical states performable without use of electronic computation, the writing surface comprising a protective surface, one or more sensors, and a display state change material disposed directly between the protective surface and the one or more sensors.
 2. An input device as described in claim 1, wherein the writing surface is configured to perform the change in optical states without separating the writing surface into a plurality of predefined pixels.
 3. An input device as described in claim 1, wherein the writing surface is configured to perform the change in the optical states without consuming electricity.
 4. An input device as described in claim 3, wherein the writing surface is configured to change back to a previous optical state by consuming electricity.
 5. An input device as described in claim 1, wherein the change in optical states is performed responsive to a mechanical input.
 6. An input device as described in claim 5, wherein the change in optical states is performed responsive to pressure applied of the mechanical input to a display state change material of the writing surface.
 7. An input device as described in claim 1, wherein the change in optical states is performed responsive to a temperature change.
 8. An input device as described in claim 1, wherein the change in optical states is performed responsive to an electrical field.
 9. An input device as described in claim 1, wherein the change in optical states is performed responsive to a magnetic field.
 10. An input device as described in claim 1, wherein the change in optical states is performed responsive to encountering light.
 11. An input device as described in claim 1, wherein the one or more sensors are configured to detect an input that caused the change in the optical states.
 12. An input device as described in claim 11, wherein at least one of the sensors is configured to provide an output that is indicative of an amount of pressure applied to a respective said sensor.
 13. An input device as described in claim 1, wherein the writing surface is configured to perform the change in optical states responsive to detection of proximity of an object.
 14. A system comprising: a computing device having a display device that supports touch functionality sufficient to detect one or more gestures and a first side generally perpendicular to the display device that defines an axis; and an input device having a second side, the second side removably coupled physically to the first side of the computing device along the axis, the input device having a writing surface configured to perform a change in optical states that is viewable by the user, the change in the optical states performable without consuming electricity, the writing surface comprising a protective surface, one or more sensors, and a display state change material disposed directly between the protective surface and the one or more sensors, the input device further having a connection portion along the second side having a plurality of magnetic coupling devices that are spaced along the axis.
 15. A system as described in claim 14, wherein the one or more sensors are configured to detect an input that caused the change in the optical states.
 16. A system as described in claim 14, wherein the change in optical states is performed mechanically, responsive to pressure applied to the display state change material of the writing surface, responsive to a temperature change, responsive to an electrical field, responsive to a magnetic field, or responsive to encountering light.
 17. An apparatus comprising: an input device flexibly connected to a connection portion, the connection portion having a plurality of magnetic coupling devices spaced apart along an axis and configured to form a magnetic coupling to a computing device, the magnetic coupling sufficient to secure the input device to the computing device; and an input portion having a writing surface comprising a protective surface, a pressure sensing digitizing pad, and a display state change material disposed directly between the protective surface and the pressure sensing digitizing pad, the writing surface configured to: perform a change in optical states that is viewable by the user, the change in the optical states performable by the display state change material responsive to application of mechanical pressure by a stylus; and communicate data describing the application of the mechanical pressure via the connection portion to the computing device, the data output by one or more sensors of the pressure sensing digitizing pad that is configured from a plurality of membrane switches disposed on an opposing side of the display state change material with respect to a side that received the application of the mechanical pressure.
 18. An apparatus as described in claim 17, wherein the change in optical states is performable by the display state change material without performing electronic computation.
 19. An apparatus as described in claim 17, wherein the change in optical states is performable by the display state change material without consuming electricity.
 20. A system as described in claim 14, wherein the one or more sensors comprise a pressure sensing digitizing pad configured from a plurality of membrane switches that employ a force sensitive ink. 